How to Zoom In on Mac: 4 Simple Methods

Apple goes to great lengths to help its customers use Macs more easily. One of Mac’s multiple accessibilities features is zoom. By using Mac zoom shortcuts, you can read fine print, magnify photos, and zoom in on videos, among others.

A note from our experts: 

 

When you learn how to zoom in and out on your Mac, it’s high time to optimize the performance of your device. Clean out junk from your Mac with the help of MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup tool. You can remove log files, caches, and language files in a few clicks.

 

Here’s how to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. Select Safe Cleanup from the left side menu.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. Select the files you want to delete and click Clean Junk Files.

To read fine print with ease, learn how to zoom in and out on Mac in 4 different ways. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, trackpad or a mouse, we’ve got you covered.  

• Zoom on Mac using keyboard shortcuts  
• Zoom in and out on Mac using trackpad
• Zoom on Mac with Hover Text
• Zoom on Mac using mouse  

How to zoom in and out on a Mac

Macs have been designed to support accessibility needs of its users, making it extremely simple to zoom in and out. Below are several ways to do it.

Zoom on Mac using keyboard shortcuts

To zoom in within a single window, use the Command and + (plus) button combination. To zoom out, use the Command and – (minus) button combination.

Follow these steps to set up shortcuts to zoom in and out within the entire Mac screen:

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. In the Accessibility section, click Zoom.
3. Select the option Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom.
4. To zoom in, use Option and Command and +(plus) shortcut.
5. To zoom out, use Option and Command and – (minus) shortcut.
6. To disable zoom, use Option and Command and 8 shortcut.

Zoom in and out on Mac using trackpad

To zoom in within a single window using a trackpad, pinch two fingers open. To zoom out, pinch two fingers closed.  

Here’s how to enable touch bar zoom for the entire Mac screen:

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. In the Accessibility section, click Zoom.
3. Select the option Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom.
4. Choose the modifier key: Control, Option or Command.
5. Press the modifier key and scroll up to zoom in.
6. Press the modifier key and scroll down to zoom out.

Enlarge screen on Mac with Hover Text

macOS allows you to enable a hovering window that serves as a Mac magnifying glass.  

Here’s how to magnify screen on Mac with Hover Text:

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. In the Accessibility section, click Zoom.
3. Select the option Enable Hover Text.
4. Press Command to enlarge a text under a pointer.

Zoom on Mac using mouse

Here’s how to zoom in on Mac with mouse:

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. In the Accessibility section, click Zoom.
3. Select the option Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom.
4. Choose the modifier key: Control, Option or Command.
5. Hold the modifier key and scroll up to zoom in.
6. Hold the modifier key and scroll down to zoom out.

If you use an Apple Magic Mouse, you can enable the Smart zoom feature, allowing you to zoom in and out with a double tap.  

Magic Mouse zoom works like this:

1. In the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. Click Mouse and select the Smart zoom feature.
3. Double tap with one finger to zoom in.
4. Double tap with one finger to zoom out on Mac.

Wrapping up

Now you know how to zoom in on Mac with trackpad, mouse, shortcuts, and Hover Text feature. To learn other useful Mac shortcuts and features, check some of our articles below.

Read more: 

• Macbook 101: Learn How to Use a Mac
• How to Copy and Paste on a MacBook
• How to Enable Right Click on a Mac
• How to Record Video on a Mac: An Ultimate Guide